Management of Codex work at the National Level
- how India made progress -
S Dave
IC, FAO
Structure of this Presentation (a case study on India)
India’s food security situation
India’s trade in food products
Commitment under the WTO
Action Points
2
India’s Food Production
World No. 1 – Milk, Meat, Millets, Pigeon/Chick peas,
Spices, Mangoes, Bananas, Okra
World No. 2 – Rice, Wheat, Pulses, Tea, Sugarcane,
Groundnuts, Onion, Garlic, Potatoes,
Tomatoes, Peas, Green vegetables
World No. 3 – Hen eggs, Rapeseed, Coconut,
Cashew nuts
World No. 4 – Sorghum, Oranges
Source: FAO 3
Food Security situation in India (6-8 years ago)
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STILL….
Had 35% of world’s malnourished children
About 80% children <3 years; 60% pregnant women;
24% men were anaemic
40% children; 33% women; 28% men were
underweight
Still has 33% of world’s hungry people
About 26% of population was food insecure (consumed less than 80% of energy requirements)
India’s Agri. Business (6-8 years ago)
Total Food Exports = US $ 22 b
Total Food Imports = US $ 24 b
Contributed to 14% of GDP
Global share was <1%
Share in merchandise exports was 10.7%
Export to developed markets was 14% 5
Why so…?
WHY EXPORTS DECREASED
Non-compliance to standards of importing countries
Lack of Implementation of GAP, GMP, GHP
Lack of traceability in all food products
Lack of cold chain infrastructure
Lack of negotiating power for market access
Lack of commitment to food safety
Lack of awareness about international standards
Lack of training Contd… 6
Why so…?
WHY IMPORTS INCREASED
Better spending power
Changing life-styles
New products in the global market
Need for better nutrition supplements
Sub-standard products also getting imported
Lack of commitment to food safety
Lack of awareness about international standards
Lack of training
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The Common Denominator
Lack of commitment to food safety
Lack of awareness about international
standards
Lack of training
8
What was the Result…?
PROBLEMS IN DOMESTIC MARKET
Imbalance in food prices
Loss of investments
Drain on foreign exchange (negative trade balance)
Decrease in overall development
Static or decline in GDP
Tourism did not match its true potential
Decline in business interests
Sub-standard food production and marketing
Increase in hunger and poverty
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India took a Strategic Approach
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Set up a Food Safety and Standards Authority
Harmonized India’s Food Standards
Participate in Codex Discussions
Implement FSMS (GAP, GMP etc.)
Upgrade laboratory infrastructure
- Modernize Laboratories
- Set-up network of Referral Labs.
- Training of Inspectors and Lab. Analysts
- Introduce food safety education
We agreed…?
that Codex is the reference standard under WTO
that Codex standards are the international standards
that we need to harmonize standards with Codex
for compliance with WTO
that to improve domestic market, we need to upgrade
to international standards (Codex)
that to enhance exports, we need to make use of
international standards (Codex)
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Participation in Codex
The Steps taken
(1) Policy Level
Different Ministries agreed to Work Together
Different Ministries agreed to pool and create a ‘Fund’
Codex Participation based on Prioritization
- Prioritization based on Food Produced and Imported
- Prioritization based on Food Safety Objectives & Criteria
(2) Action Level
Set-up National Codex and Mirror Committees
Hired 3 young food technologists for Codex Contact Point
Identified stakeholders from Govt., Academia, Industry
Framed Rules and Procedures for ALL participants
And….. moved ahead….. 12 12
What were the pre-requisites..?
We needed to prioritize
We needed a National Codex structure
We needed a strong team-work
We needed rules and procedures
We needed budget
13
Pre-requisite 1
We needed to prioritize
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Prioritization
Based on FSO and Criteria
Food produced
Food exported
Food imported
Safety issues of concern
Decide from:
-- Commodities
-- Horizontal issues
15
We needed to prioritize
We needed a National Codex structure
16
Pre-requisite 2
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National Codex
Structure
Codex Contact Point
National Codex Committee
and
Mirror Committees
CCP is the Central Point for all Codex work
Codex Secretariat
Regional Coordinator,
CCPs in other countries Codex Trust Fund
NCC, Mirror Committees (relevant Govt. Agencies, Ministries,
Industry, Scientists, Academia, NGOs)
Codex
Contact
Point
18 Courtesy FAO
Codex Contact Point
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-
- Neutral, Accessible, Capable, Hard-working
- Links with Codex Secretariat and NCC
- Links with Codex Trust Fund
- Set up NCC, mirror committees
- Frame rules and procedures
- Receive agenda and circulate
- Coordinate consultations and approvals
- Send written comments to Codex Sectt.
- Promote Codex awareness
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National Codex Committee and Mirror
Committees
National Codex Committee
Chair – Senior Official (e.g. from Health Ministry) – CAC, CC-Africa
Members – Chairs of mirror committees and key Govt. officials at policy level
Mirror Committees
Chair – Senior Officials of the relevant ministries (Agri., Food, Trade, Health, Govt. agencies, University / Institute)
Members – Experts from relevant ministries, Govt. agencies, scientists, industry, university, NGOs
National Codex Committee and Mirror Committees
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- Subject experts, High commitment
- Identify priority issues
- Hold consultations
- Be consistent in views
- Prepare written comments
- Prepare national positions
- Identify delegation members
- Decide on participation in WGs
We needed to prioritize
We needed a National Codex structure
We needed a strong team-work
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Pre-requisite 3
Strong Team-work (NCC + CCP)
High commitment at senior level
Coordinated effort by different Ministries
-- nominated officials for Codex Sessions
-- officials / NCC required to meet regularly
Scientists, Academia, Industry, NGOs to
contribute in NCC
Strong Codex Contact Point (CCP)
-- exclusive officials for CCP
-- clear responsibilities
-- highly proactive
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Following was the Team
Codex Contact Point (e.g. in Health / Trade Ministry)
Director (overall in-charge) + 3 officials (food tech. background)
* Director = convene and attend NCC / Mirror Committees;
all approvals from NCC Chair (rules / procedures,
comments, delegation, budget)
* Official 1 = 3 - 4 committees, rules (one-time), budget
* Official 2 = 3 - 4 committees, awareness
* Official 3 = CAC, CCEXEC, CC-Africa, Committees like
CCGP, CCFL, CCFICS
Important: As a CCP official, he / she has to do everything for the Committee 24
We needed to prioritize
We needed a National Codex structure
We needed a strong team-work
We needed rules and procedures
25
Pre-requisite 4
National Codex Rules (framed and implemented by CCP)
Notified members of NCC and Mirror Committees
and their Terms of Reference
Notified Core Functions and Responsibilities of NCC
and Mirror Committees & their Chairs
Notified Core Functions and Responsibilities of CCP
Notified Rules for:
-- Nominating delegation (criteria) to Codex Sessions
-- Responsibilities of Head of delegation
-- Sanction of travel budget
-- Travel arrangements
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Important Components of Responsibilities of CCP
Act as the contact point for the country;
Act as the secretariat to NCC;
Prepare annual budget (in consultation with NCC) and
obtain approvals
Collect and analyze data;
Keep track of all standards work and provide inputs to NCC;
Maintain a library of Codex standards and disseminate to
relevant stakeholders;
Encourage food manufacturers to improve quality & hygiene;
Prepare regular briefings for political leadership and senior
officials
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Important Components of Core Functions of CCP
Coordination: link with Codex Sectt.; link with Codex Trust
Fund; convene all NCC and Mirror Committee meetings; act
as a channel for exchange of information; identify key
stakeholders for Codex work; establish contact in the region
Communication: receive and transmit all invitations /
documentation to NCC and Mirror Committees; ensure timely
submission of written comments; circulate Codex session
reports
Capacity Building: organize workshops for awareness; build
capacity relating to Codex activities
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Important Components of Responsibilities and Core Functions of NCC
Responsibilities To cooperate with Codex, FAO and WHO;
To cooperate with other local / regional or foreign organizations
To make recommendations about annual budget to the CCP
To formulate national position in consultation with the members of NCC and make
recommendations;
To nominate delegates to attend Codex meetings;
To study Codex documents, collect and review all relevant information relating to technology,
economics, health and control systems, and advise the government;
To identify organizations and commission studies for generation of data for discussion with CAC;
and
Core Functions To advise government on the implications of various food standards and related issues;
To provide inputs to the government to ensure quality and safety of food, development of industry
and expansion of international trade;
To identify Mirror Committees and their members for Codex work;
To meet as and when necessary to formulate national position
Important Components of Responsibilities and Core Functions of Mirror Committees
Responsibilities
To study Codex agenda documents including country comments, collect and review
all relevant information relating to technology, economics, health and control systems
and advise NCC / government on acceptance of Codex Standards;
To formulate, on timely basis, National comments on each relevant Codex agenda
item and forward to CCP for approval and communicating to Codex Secretariat;
To finalize the delegation for the Codex session and transmit the names to CCP for
approval and communicating to the host country secretariat; and
To recommend National position to the CCP to be taken during the CAC Session.
Core Functions
To advise NCC on the implications of various food standards and related issues;
To provide inputs to the government to ensure quality and safety of food,
development of industry and expansion of international trade;
To organise briefing of the National delegation to the Codex Session; and
To meet regularly for review of Codex decisions and action points for the country.
30 30
National Codex Procedures (framed and implemented by CCP)
Procedure for submitting comments to NCC and Mirror
Committees
Procedure for conducting NCC / Mirror Committee meetings
Process for finalization, approval and submission of National
response to Codex Secretariat
Criteria for selection of delegation to Codex Sessions and
Working Groups
Format for submission of report by delegation and follow-up
Procedure for submission of proposals for new Codex work
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Other Rules and Processes
Nominating delegation to Codex Session
Responsibilities of Head of delegation
-- respect Codex Procedural Manual and ground rules announced by
Codex Secretary at the beginning of Codex Session;
-- provide National comments during the Codex Session;
-- engage in consultations in regional meetings;
-- regularly consult other members of National delegation specially on
other country comments / CRDs and other matters;
-- have informal consultations with other country delegations;
-- refer to head quarters when necessary; and
-- participate in social gatherings.
Sanction of travel budget
Travel arrangements
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We needed to prioritize
We needed a National Codex structure
We needed a strong team-work
We needed rules and procedures
We needed budget
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Pre-requisite 5
Made Budgetary Provisions
Purposes
-- Running of Codex Contact Point (staff, local travel)
-- Maintaining National Codex website
-- Conducting NCC / Mirror Committee meetings
-- Participation in Codex Sessions
-- Creating national-level awareness about Codex
Sources
-- Ideally, need a national budget line entry; or
-- Initially, concerned Ministries agreed to pool-in
-- Expenses controlled by the CCP (neutral body) 34
India’s Role in Codex
India started with 5 Committees 10 years ago
Now participates in all Codex sessions
Is a member of 27 Working Groups
Has initiated 11 New Work Proposals
Is hosting one Codex Committee
Is the Coordinator for CC-Asia
Co-hosts one Codex Committee in 1-2 years (to build capacity)
35 35
Change in India’s Situation (over 6 - 8 years)
Total Food Exports = US $ 22 b US $ 43 b
Total Food Imports = US $ 24 b US $ 34 b
Contributes to 14% of GDP 16%
Global share: < 1% 1.4%
Share in merchandise exports is 10.7% 12%
Export to developed markets: 14% 24%
Anaemia, malnourishment, underweight situation; and
tourism have all improved 36
Thank you
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